Ticketing-machine.



F. KOHNLE.

TlcKETmG MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, |914.

1,171,729. Patented Feb.15,191"6.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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TICKETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IuvNE I7, I9I4 I2 N f/l d 'v 'S' 31% F. KOHNLE.

TICKETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man JUNE 11. 1914.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

F. KOHNLE.

TICKETING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IUNEI?, 1914.

1' 1,171,729. Patented Feb.15,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ammo@ @gamma J j W L i 1 Wd W FREDERICK KOHNLE, 0F DAYTON, OHIO.

TICKETING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. 'Patented Feb. 15, 1916,

Application filed June 17, 1914. Serial No. 845,725.

To dll whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK KOHNLE, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Ticketing-Machine, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

My invention relates to improvements in tag machines Which may also be designated as marking or ticketing machines.

The machine herein described is susceptible primarily to two distinct uses; the one in operating upon a strip comprising a series of tags united in gang lengths for advancing the same at Vstep intervals toward printing and severing mechanism, whereby the tags are successively printed upon, separated and discharged from the machine to be subsequently applied to the material to be ticketed. A second use combines conjointly with the first sequential application of the tags upon the material. In the latter instance, the fastening means vis a component of each tag or unit. The gang strips with or without fastening means for each tag are recognized as articles of manufacture, which reduces the complications arising outi of that 'class of ticketing machines, in Which the tags and fastening means, lusuallyin the nature of wire staples, are formed within the machine from webs of material, and has a capacity for only one size, style and type of tag and fastener.

The machine of my invention operates upon a variety of tags of dlderent sizes and of different fasteners, in the rinting and delivery of individual tags, wlth its scope .that other forms may `be used and so con, .templated The machine in its complete organization combines devices which have received attention ina specialized attitude and are, therefore, divisional as separate inventions. Therefore, the invention herein is somewhat 'ress is yieldingly pressed upon or against stationary surfaces, alternately upon oppo site sides of the strip at different locations, and at other points at opposite margins of the strip to retain and confine it in gate channels, and satisfactorily present 'it to the action of the different devices.` This may be further explained with reference-to the specific disclosure herein in that the strip initially passes over a stationary surface, with the tension means above the strip'at one of its margins for presentation to the printing devices and at a point in advance,-

the strip is engaged at both longitudinal l margins to securely hold the same for the severing devices, following with an alternate arrangement in which the stationary surface is above the strip, to provide ,an abutment, with the tension/means beneath,

for placing a severed tag for a staple clench-A ing operation.

Another object of my invention is toA providefeeding devices for intermittently advancing a tag strip within a suitable 'track capable of handling the various` sized and styles of tags, within range of a/predetermined maximum, without alterngthe devices.

.Another object of my` invention is to provide a feeding device for the tag-strip operative to lengage into a respective notch or aperture of anA alined series relatively spaced in the tag strip, in an advancing stroke of the feeding device, releasing with a reverse stroke, together with means for definitely arresting `its advancing movement,

within micrometrically adjustable limits,

with compensation made for excessive'. motion of the actuator means operating the clenching mechanism which also serves to initially combine their cooperative engagement.

Further objects of my invention relate to the construction of the clenching mechanism and various other details of the machine, all of which will be more fully revealed in the following description, and from the anneXed drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, and in such drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, of which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of the left hand side of the machine. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of the right hand side of the machine. Fig. 4 is a detail section on line 4-4 of Fig.2. Fig. 5 is a top plan view. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. S is a detail top plan view of the table and face plate. F ig.-9 is a detail bottom plan View of the face plate and connecting parts; Fig. `10 is an enlarged section on line 10-10 of Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged top plan view ofthe staple crimping plunger. Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a plan view and elevation of a portion of a strip of stapled tags. Fig. 15 represents a modified form of feeding finger having a removable point.

The machine as illustrated-is mounted on a base l, which also supports the motor 2, or other suitable transmission means. A hollow standard 3 preferably formed integral with the holder base 4, comprises a main frame of the machine, within which a partly tubular actuator 10 is supported and reciprocated. The a/ctuator 10 is provided with 'a forwardly projected head or bracket arm 5, which supports the printing and severing mechanism 6, 7, respectively, and also the inking mechanism 8 for the type, removably mounted within a holder as a part of the printing mechanism. The printing, severing and inking devices are all made the subject-matter of separate applications from thatherein, the printing and severing mechanism being substantially the same as that disclosed and described in my prior Patent No. 1,147,873, dated July 27, 1915, and in an application divisional therefrom filed June 17,1914, Serial No. 845,724, and the inking mechanism in. an application filed of even date herewith, Serial No. 845,726, and, therefore, no elaboration will be made herein as to details of construction, except in so far as is concerned in the operation of the machine, and in the combination of the mechanism to which this invention relates.

The actuator 10 is reciprocated by the connecting rod 11 pivotally connected thereto and to a crank disk 12, the disk being in connection with the shaft of the motor 2.

`Tag guidi-ng and directing means.-A table 9 horizontally projects from the pedestal 3, which provides a track for the gang tag strip beneath the printing and severing mechanism, and in line with the stapleclenching mechanism, to be more fully hereinafter described, As shown in the drawings, Figs. 8, 10 alnd 11, the table is constructed of a number of parts for convenience in manufacture, although it may be integrally formed, and will thus be referred to. It is provided withv a channel 14 to receive the fastening elements or staple prongs of the tag, which travel over vthe surface 9b of the table in a definitely guided path.

The forward upper surface of the table toward its forward edge, is recessed, as at 15, see Fig. 8, to receive a pivotally mounted tension plate 16, having a curved edge 17, which extends slightly above the surface of the table, so as to hook-like engage with the forward longitudinal edge of the strip, to hold the same in its vertical displacement. A spring 18 forces the free end of said plate toward an opposite guiding edge to resiliently grip the edge of the strip to direct and maintain it in alinement with said guiding edge. A plate 13 is secured upon the table having a longitudinal guiding ledge 13a de pendingly projected into the channel 14, see Fig. 11, against which the tag strip is directed in its longitudinal travel or feed beneath the printing and severing mechanism and toward the stapling mechanism. A longitudinal tension shoe 21 is disposed and mounted adjacent the guiding edge 13 provided with a longitudinal tag engaging rib 20, engaging the tag beyond the staple line and providing clearance for the bow of the staple, as shown in Fig. 11` This shoe 21 is movably secured upon a plate 19 secured upon the guidingedge 13a of the plate 13, by means of pins 22 secured:- to the shoe and projected vertically through apertures in said plate 19. Thus the shoe overlaps andengages the rear edge of the tag strip and is yieldingly urged into contact therewith by the elastic ends of the leaf spring 23 secured between the guiding edge 13a and the plate 19, see Figs. 10 and 11.

As the tags advance upon the table-from beneath the tension shoe, they are directed betw'een a guide-way or channel, extending longitudinally in plane with the travel of the strip and held under tension, but reversely from that upon the table, so as to properly hold the tags, or rather a tag in position for issuance or to be acted upon by the stapling mechanism. Such guideways are formed by the projection 24 of the plate 13, forming a rigid upper surface beneath which the tag passes and a yielding lower surface formed by a spring 2-1a having its receiving edge slightly angled downwardly to receive and direct the tag into said channel. This spring is mounted upon the lower surface. of the plate 13 directly in advance of the stapling mechanism. This securely holds the severed tag in proper position to be acted upon by the stapling mechanism or holds the tag aloft and within manual access for withdrawal when issuing unattached tags for subsequent application.

The face plate 13 p-rojects over the staple clenching mechanism to provide an abutment therefor and support a staple prong guiding plunger, to be hereinafter more fully described. The surface of this abutment is recessed or grooved in a direction longitudinal with the travel of the tag strip, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The grooves aline coincidentally with the type lines in the type-holder of the printing mechanism, for clearance over the printed data of a tag, obviating any blurring or smudg'ing of the ink and delivering a clean and legible printed tag.

The table surface beneath the printing mechanism has an insert plate or block 25 providing a vielding impression surface for the type. The insert is removable and clamped or retained by a spring clip 25a which also overlaps the forward longitudinal edge of the strip to confine it upon the table surface adjacent the severing mechanism, presenting the tag properly to the action of the cutters to increase their efiiciency, produce a sharp edge out, and prevent any drawing action upon the strip which might disturb or displace it longitudinally and alter the registry position of the tags beneath the printing devices, or otherwise .denote the quality of the work or the accurate performance of the machine.

Tag feeding mecham'smf-The feeding mechanism herein shown is adapted to feed gang tag strips, a form of tag strip being shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in4 which staples are used as the fastening elements, but the machine is capable of serving various types of tags, but in'which all have a common characteristic in that each strip is provided with notches or apertures predeterminately spaced and in longitudinal alinement, to form an abutment or point of engagement for the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism herein disclosed is somewhat analogous to that shown and described in the. aforesaid prior patent, with additions, whereby it is possible to feed various widths of tags in a single machine.

A finger 26 pivotally mounted upon an arm of the bell crank lever 27 in its forward stroke engages the tag strips to advance the same. The bell crank lever is pivoted upon the pedestal or standard 3,

see Fig. 4, and has a cam edge 29, which is engaged by a pin 30 projecting from the lower end of the actuator bar 10a. The pin 30 is engaged by a yielding plunger 81, mounted within the housing 32, secured to or forming a part ofthe bell crank lever 27, to serve as compensating means in the strip advancing stroke of the finger 26. The plunger is longitudinally slotted to receive a pin 33 fixed within the housing to cutter mechanism, which, in this inst-ance,l

brings the notches or apertures dividing the tags of the strip directly in alinement with thecutters. This insures severing the individual tags successively along a proper dividing line. The downward movement of the actuator brings the pin 30 into engagement with the cam edge'29 of the bell crank lever 27, moving the finger rearwardly over the tag strip to enable it to engage into a succeeding notch or aperture in the tag strip. The tags are printed upon, and a printed tag issued in the downward movement of the actuator, whereby the printing of the tag and the severance of a previously printed tag arev accomplished in' one operation. The finger 26 is moved rearwardly preferably a greater distance than the width of a given sized tag, which niovement prescribes a limit for the various sized tags which may be fed in a single machine within such maximum movement of the nger to a prescribed minimum, which will advance the tags for single issuance. The return stroke of the finger is accomplished by the pin 30 engaging the yielding plunger 3l, which in its initial engagement tends to cushion the elements and the plunger also provides compensating means for the lever when it engages the stop pin34 to permit further movement of the actuator bar 1()a in this instance required for printing and severing the tags.

In Fig. y15 I have illustrated a modified form of finger having a removable toothed shank 26a which engages into the notches or apertures in the tag strip. It has been eX- perienced that the finger point after a period of use, wears blunt, which interferes with its proper tag engagement, but with the point removable it can be readily re-r placed or ground in a condition to always render efficient service.

Sanering and printing mechanism-The severing and printing mechanism is unitarily combined with the main actuator, and is merely incidentally referred to herein for the reason that it comprises the subjectmatter of an application divisional from the aforesaid patent Serial No. 845,724. The severing is accomplished by means of coacting cutter elements in which a cutter blade 35, (see Fig. 3), is mounted upon two pins 36, projecting from the bracket arm 5 of the actuator 10, adjacent the type chase or holder 37 and removablyheld in place by a pivotally mounted arm 38, engaging a spring 39, secured to'said blade. The arm r38 may be swung out of engagement with the spring to release the knife. The blade has an angularly disposed cutting edge adapted to move across a stationary` cutting edge upon the table beneath the knife. The blade 35, as well as the stationary cutting edge, is short of the completel length of the tags, and does not extend to. the notches or apertures to provide clearance of a positive character for the fastening elements, as fully detailed in said aforesaid application. 'Ihe printing devices are comprised in a removable holder dependingly mounted from the bracket arm 5 above the platen in the table and unitarily forming a part of the actuator, so as to move therewith. The

holder is arranged to removably support type-bars to enable a convenient change of the tag data.

The drawings also illustrate inking mechanism for the type-bars or printing devices, but as this forms the subject-matter of a separate application Serial No. 845,726 led ofeven, date herewith, reference should be had to Such application for a specific disclosure thereof. For the purposes herein, however, the inking mechanism comprises an inking pad 37 a mounted upon a swinging arm 3'(b suitably actuated by the movements of the actuator engaging with a slotted lever 37, one end pivotally mounted upon the frame or pedestal of the machine, with the opposite end connected to said lever arm 37", as shown in Fig. 3.

Staple clenching mechanisme-The staple clenching mechanismconsists of a tubular non-rotative plunger 40, slidahly mounted within a bore of the pedestal or standard 3,

vspring 41 within the plunger.

see Figs. 1 and 7, and held against rotation by a' key 42 litting within a longitudinal spline in the periphery of the plunger. The lower end of the plunger is sealed to receive a spring 41, providing a yielding connection. for the driving rod 43 slidably mounted within the bore of the plunger. The driving` rod has a slotted head 44 with a pair of oppositely disposed clenching dogs pivotally mounted within the slot in said head, with their fulcrums adjacent each other7 so as to swing upwardly in opposing directions to bend the staple prongs over the goods to be ticketed. The clenching dogs 46 are actuated by a plate 47, mounted within the slot Vof said head 44, and may be regarded as of T-form to provide the diametrically disposed shoulders 48, which engage a collar 49 slidable upon the rod 43. A. spring 50 is interposed between said collar 49 and the upper portion of tubular plunger 40 to provide a yielding connection between said members and provide dierential action between the drive or clamping rod 43 and the clenching collar 49.

In an upward movement of the plunger toward the stationary abutment, beneath which the tags are fed above the clenching mechanism, the normal resistance of the n spring 41 will be sufficient tocarry with it the clamping rod 43, which movement is practically an idle one until the upper` portion of the clamping rod engages the material beneath the abutment surface, whereupon it will be tightly clamped'under increasing tension by the continued upward movement of the plunger, compressing the Such continued upward motion of the plunger forces the spring 50 under a compressive tension against the collar 49, forcibly moving and' throwing a recoil tensity of the spring or T-plate 47 against the clenching dogs, moving the same approximately toward a horizontal plane fora proper bending of the staple prongs.

The clamping rod 43 has a limited movement within the plunger and retires with the plunger, which is accomplished by a key or pin 51 engaging into a notch invsaid rod. The upper portion of the head of the rod is provided with a clevis 53, extended transversely over the slota-long'a diametric line ofthe head which serves as a guard against any material. entering the slot at A the fulcrum of the clenching dogs. Theihead is also. inclosed under normal condiions by a protector sleeve 57 toi prevent vwith the .parts when the machine is at rest.

The clenchingmecha-nism herein is opera-` tive upon a particular kind of fastener, that of a staple fastener, but various forms offastening means may lie-provided, some `of. which would require mechanical means fokl securing the staple to the goods, while the;v

ampering' second are manually secured, and, therefore, provision has been made for throwing the clenching mechanism quickly into and out of commission. The clenching mechanism is operated by a main actuator through intermediate connections, which reverse the direction of movements one from the other. In other words, when the actuator moves downwardly the clenching mechanism moves upwardly, and vice versa. Means are also provided for quickly releasing the clenfjiing mechanism after an operative interval, so that the same may be rapidly retired and not form an obstruction to the advance of the tags, which are fed during the normal or upward stroke of the actuator. It is obvious that various means as an intermediate connection between the actuator and clenching mechanism may be provided to produce the results herein attained, but the construction herein disclosed is preferred. Such intermediary motion imparting devices comprise the following parts The lever 60 is pivotally mounted within the hollow base 4, having an arm extension 61, engaging with the base of the plunger 40, and an opposite arm extension vertically directed at its eX- tremity engaging with a connector pawl 63. The connector pawl 63 is pivotally mounted within a plug 65, longitudinally conned within the bore of the actuator 10 at the lower portion thereof, but capable of rota- Ative motion for disengaging intermediate connections between actuator and clenching mechanism. The plug is rotatively secured within the bore of the actuator 1'0 and longitudinally confined by an annular shoulder 66 engaging the lower edge of the actuator, and by the collar of a hand lever 67, secured to the connecting rod 68, said connecting rod being iiXed to the plug and extended concentrically through the actuator. The hand lever 67 is limited in rotation by a pin 70, projecting from the upper edge of the actuator l0, and into an offset portion ofthe lever arm, as shown inFig. 5. This limits the rocking motion to right and left movements sufficient for throwing theactuating mechanism for the clenching devices into and out of commission. Thus upon the downward movement of the actuator the pawl 63 which is urged outwardly by the spring 69 engages the arm 62 of the lever 60, moving the clenching mechanism upwardly and relatively to that required with the downward movement of the actuator. The free end of the pawl 63 in the downward movement of the actuator 10 engages the trip lever 71 adjacent the lever 60 and mounted upon a stationary fulcrum. One end of the lever 7l engages a spring tensioned plunger 72 slidably supported in a bore in the frame (see Fig. 7) which yieldingly resists motion of the lever 71 when the pawl in its downward motion is engaged with the lever and until the parts have moved suiiiciently to permit the end of the lever 7l to clear the pawl and snap into its normal position, with its end at the opposite side of the nose or hook at the pawl eXtremity. The motion of the lever 71 in its normal position and toward its pawl engaging end, is confined against upward motion, so 'that with the return stroke of the actuator ,it will engage and force the pawl laterally to clear it from the lever 60 for a quick returnof the clenching mechanism, independent of the actuator. The pawl 63 is thrown into and out of an operative position by rotating the block through the medium of the hand lever 67. The clenching mechanism is retired by gravity, which will position the lever 60 to be engaged by the pawl 63, after it has been released by the trip lever toward the completion of the upward stroke of the actuator.

Having described my claim 1. A device of the nature disclosed comprising rigid track surfaces arranged progressively at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag.. strip, the supporting surface having a longitudinal guiding margin against which the strip is urged and a longitudinal channel coinciinvention,

dently adjacent said guiding margin, alternately arranged strip margin tension means urged toward the surfaces respectively to confine the strip, laterally urged tension and guiding means opposite said guiding margin, and a yielding clip at the terminal of said supporting surface engaging the strip margin opposite said guide margin.

2. A device of the nature disclosed comprising rigid track surfaces arranged progressively at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag strip, the supporting surface terminating with a cutter edge and provided with a longitudinal guiding margin and a longitudinal channel coincidently adjacent said guiding margin, alternately arranged strip margin tension means urged toward the surfaces respectively to confine the strip, laterally urged tension and guiding means opposite said guiding margin, and a yielding clip at the terminal of said supporting surface engaging the strip margin opposite said guide margin.

3. A device of the nature disclosed comprising rigid track surfaces arranged progressively at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag strip, the supporting surfaces having a longitudinal guiding margin against which the strip is urged and a longitudinal channel coincidently adjacent said guiding margin, alternately arranged strip `margin tension means urged toward the surfaces respectively to confine the strip, and laterally urged tension and guiding means opposite said guiding margins.

4. A device of the nature disclosed comprising rigid track surfaces arranged progressively at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag strip, said track surfaces having a longitudinal guiding margin, means engaging a surface of the strip for urging the same against said guiding margin, and strip margin tension means in relative alternate arrangement urged toward the respective opposing surfaces to confine the strip.

A device of the nature disclosed comprising rigid track surfaces'arranged progressively at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag strip, said track surfaces having` a longitudinal guiding margin, means engaging a margin of `the strip for urging the same against said guiding margin, and tension means in relative alternate arrangement urged toward the respective opposing surfaces to confine the strip, and feeding devices for intervally advancing the strip between said surfaces and tension means.

6. A device of the nature. disclosed combining permanent track surfaces progressively' arranged at different elevations to provide a support and abutment for a tag strip, said track surfaces having a longitudinal guiding margin` said abutment surface having parallel channels extending in a direction coincident with the tag feed to provide linear clearance for the printing data on said tag strip, and yielding means for maintaining the advance in parallelism with said guiding margin and against said surfaces.

7. A device of the nature disclosed comprising tracking devices for supporting and guiding a tag strip. a projector member movable to and fro along said tracking devices adapted in a progressive stroke to engage with and advance the tag strip, releasing therefrom with a return stroke, and means for limiting the progressive stroke of said member to Within regulatable limits.

8. In a device of the class described, a support for tracking a tag strip, a hinged ringer reciprocated along said support, and adapted to engage and advance the tag strip in one stroke direction, a lever for supporting and reciprocating said finger and a reciprocating actuator positively connected with said lever in one direction of motion and yieldingly in an alternate direc-- tion.

9. A device of the nature disclosed comprising a reciprocating actuator adapted to be rocked by said actuator, a lever, a yielding plunger' mounted on said lever adapted to engage with said actuator for coupling said actuator and lever for one motion thereof. adjustable means for arresting the motion of said lever in one direction, and a tag strip engaging finger pivotally mounted upon said lever.

l0. A device of the nature disclosed comprising a reciprocating actuator, a lever having an arm loosely engaged with said actuator for rocking the lever in one direction, a yielding plunger upon said lever engaging said actuator' opposingly from said arm. for reversing the motion of said lever, means for limiting the motion of the lever in variable degrees in the plunger moving direction, anda tag strip engaging finger pivotallymounted upon said lever.

l1. In a device of ,the class described, a support along which a 'tag strip is fed, a fulcrumed member having a swiveled pawl adapted to engage with the tag strip in one motion direction and release therefrom for a subsequent engagement in an alternate motion. and actuator means for swinging said member positively engaging therewith in one motion direction and yieldingly in an alternate direction.

1Q. In a device of the class described, a tag strip guiding support, a member alternatelv moving along said support, and provided with a finger movable laterally independent of said member to depressingly engage with and advance the strip in one stroke of said member. and releasing in an alternate stroke. actuator means for said member positively connecting therewith in a finger strip releasing stroke, and a tension device for connecting said parts in an alternate stroke whereby the actuator may continue its motion beyond the strip feeding limit of the other.

ln witness whereof. l hereunto subscribe mv name` as attested by the two subscribing witnesses.

FREDERICK KOHNLE. lVitnesses EMMA SrnNn-R, LoUIsA A. BECK.. 

